So we come to the issue of authority.
I find it very interesting that Protestants don’t seem to quibble about the Bible that they use - I know that some cling to whichever version of the King James that they happen to prefer, but they seem in the minority - and don’t really enquire as to the authority of the words and the interpretation that comes from it.
As we know, words mean something. Not you, but several others here are very apt to take phrases within verses as support of their positions; it is very important to understand the words and their positions within the phrases, the verses, and the overall book. I find the NAB to be rather pedestrian, however, I think that it is the best effort to date to translate the original text and intent of the written words that we have into the English of this era.
You may not use the gender-neutral Bibles that seem to be all the rage today, but under what authority do you reject them? How do you know? Is it the Gnostic in you (say ahhhhh and I’ll look for him)? How in the world can you say that this Bible is good and that Bible is bad without the authority of God’s own Catholic Church telling you?
I happen to prefer the NIV, but the KJV is excellent. When I quote I usually compare both versions, and notable differences I have found to be rare. The same theology is found in most mainline versions.
I find the NAB to be rather pedestrian, however, I think that it is the best effort to date to translate the original text and intent of the written words that we have into the English of this era.
Is there an "official" text that is used at all Masses?
You may not use the gender-neutral Bibles that seem to be all the rage today, but under what authority do you reject them? How do you know? Is it the Gnostic in you (say ahhhhh and I’ll look for him)? How in the world can you say that this Bible is good and that Bible is bad without the authority of God’s own Catholic Church telling you?
I haven't studied the gender-neutral Bibles carefully, but there does not appear to be any scholarship behind them. It appears they are being changed solely for the purpose of political correctness. That is all I need to know to reject them. At least there appears to be some serious scholarship behind most of the time tested versions out there. Now, there may be some "tweener" Bibles floating around out there that I might like or not, but I haven't run into any yet. I'm not really in the market right now to make a change. :)